Inspection on 08/08/06 for Skirbeck Court

This inspection was carried out on 8th August 2006.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Excellent. The way we rate inspection reports is consistent for all houses, though please be aware that this may be different from an official CSCI judgement.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

Other inspections for this house

Skirbeck Court 05/10/05

Skirbeck Court 13/04/05

Skirbeck Court 14/10/04

Skirbeck Court 06/04/04

Similar services:

Byars Care Home

St Marys Nursing Home

Bramble Lodge

Parkmanor Residential Home

Thornham Grove

Hunter`s Lodge

London Road Neurological and Specialist Care Unit

Carlton Care Home

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 09/07/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Skirbeck Court 55a Spilsby Road Boston Lincs PE21 9NU Lead Inspector Julie Western Key Unannounced Inspection 8th August 2006 09:00 X10015.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: • • • • Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection Report CSCI General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI www.csci.org.uk Internet address Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 2 This is a report of an inspection to assess whether services are meeting the needs of people who use them. The legal basis for conducting inspections is the Care Standards Act 2000 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for this establishment are those for Care Homes for Older People. They can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or obtained from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop This report is a public document. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Skirbeck Court Address 55a Spilsby Road Boston Lincs PE21 9NU Telephone number Fax number Email address Provider Web address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) 01205 361444 The Orders Of St John Care Trust Mrs Patricia Porter Care Home 41 Category(ies) of Learning disability (1), Old age, not falling registration, with number within any other category (41) of places Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. The home is registered to provide personal care to service users whose primary needs fall within the following categories: Old age, not falling within any other category (OP) 41 Learning disability (LD) 1 The category of Learning Disability applies to the service user named within the notice of proposal dated 12 July 2005. The maximum number of service users to be accommodated is 41. 2. Date of last inspection 5th October 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Skirbeck Court is a purpose-built home, owned and formerly managed by Lincolnshire County Council and now managed by the Orders of St. John Care Trust. It is registered to give care and accommodation for up to 41 residents over 65 years of age, one of these with a learning disability, in 31 single and 5 double rooms, all at ground level. On the day of the inspection 34 residents were being accommodated. The home is set in its own spacious grounds in a quiet residential area of Boston and is adjacent to local schools, overlooking the school grounds. Shops and local facilities are a short walk away and transport can be arranged for those unable to walk into the town centre. The home’s stated aims are to provide the highest quality of residential care. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This key inspection was unannounced, was carried out over three hours and took into account any previous information held by CSCI including the home’s previous inspection reports, its service history, pre-inspection questionnaires completed by the Manager and residents’ questionnaires sent to the home by the Commission prior to the inspection. The site inspection consisted of case tracking a sample of residents’ records and assessing their care. Some policies and procedures were examined and some records concerning the safety of the home were also seen. Five residents, three care and ancillary staff and two visitors were spoken with. The Manager was present throughout the inspection. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? Recent redecoration has included the complete refurbishment of one of the bathrooms, complete with a new ‘Malibu’ bath purpose-built for residents with physical disabilities, the on-going redecoration of bedrooms as they are vacated, the replacement of many of the original doors and window frames with pvc and renewal of some of the exterior paintwork. The activities coordinator now works 20 hours weekly; an increase of four hours. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 What they could do better: Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 DETAILS OF INSPECTOR FINDINGS CONTENTS Choice of Home (Standards 1–6) Health and Personal Care (Standards 7-11) Daily Life and Social Activities (Standards 12-15) Complaints and Protection (Standards 16-18) Environment (Standards 19-26) Staffing (Standards 27-30) Management and Administration (Standards 31-38) Scoring of Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 6 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Each service user has a written contract/ statement of terms and conditions with the home. No service user moves into the home without having had his/her needs assessed and been assured that these will be met. Service users and their representatives know that the home they enter will meet their needs. Prospective service users and their relatives and friends have an opportunity to visit and assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home. Service users assessed and referred solely for intermediate care are helped to maximise their independence and return home. The Commission considers Standards 3 and 6 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 3,6 Quality in this outcome area is excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence, including a visit to the service. The home’s records give a full picture of the needs of each resident to ensure that health and personal needs are met. The home does not provide intermediate care. EVIDENCE: The statement of purpose was comprehensive and was available at the front entrance, along with the residents’ handbook. Residents said they received copies of the handbook. Copies of the home’s monthly ‘in—house’ magazine were also available in the entrance hall. The admissions policy, which included a policy on emergency admission, was up to date and comprehensive and the Manager said that she or a Care Leader carried out pre-assessments, either in the prospective resident’s home or in a care setting. One resident said that before admission to the home they had visited for the day and were able to eat the meals and to join in with the activities. This had allowed them to make a decision about moving into the home in their own time. One resident said ‘My Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 daughter visited four homes for me and said this was the best in the area – she hasn’t been wrong!’ Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7-10 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence, including a visit to the service. The home’s records give a clear and full picture of the needs of each resident to ensure that health and personal needs are met. EVIDENCE: The home uses a card system for recording care plans; these were clear as to the needs of residents and contained full assessments including risk assessments. There was a fully developed procedure for medication and a pharmacist met with the Manager on a quarterly basis to check the medication and to discuss any issues arising from this, the most recent visit being 14th June 2006. The Manager said that Care Leaders carried out monthly audits of medication to ensure that there were no discrepancies. One visitor said ‘The care is a high standard’. A number of residents were spoken with and all said they could get up and go to bed when they chose. Staff members were observed to knock on doors before entering and to give time and consideration to residents, particularly with regard to assistance with toileting and assisting with moving around the home. The Manager described how, during the recent Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 very hot weather, residents were given drinks throughout the night and staff members were stationed in all communal rooms giving residents drinks throughout the day. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 Daily Life and Social Activities The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12-15 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence, including a visit to the service. Social activities are extensive and are well managed, creating daily variation and interest for people living in the home. The residents can exercise choice regarding daily activities and meals. EVIDENCE: A number of residents were spoken with and all said they enjoyed the food. One resident said ‘the food’s excellent – there’s a lot of choice and we’re asked at breakfast what we’d like for lunch’. The kitchen staff demonstrated a knowledge and awareness of special diets. Menus showed that there was a balanced and varied diet and mealtimes were flexible. The home has an activities co-ordinator who works 20 hours weekly; she devised a monthly newsletter to be sent to all residents and relatives. On the day of the inspection the home had visits from an underwear outlet in the morning and a singing duo in the afternoon. The weekly programme of activities was displayed in various places around the home and included exercises, church services, outings to local garden centres and shops. Residents described the recent annual barbecue and hog-roast, which took Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 place last month and which the mayor attended. One resident said she did not wish to take part in the trips as her daughter took her out, but really enjoyed the in-house entertainment. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16, 18 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence, including a visit to the service. Complaints are handled objectively and residents are confident that their concerns will be listened t and acted upon. There is a robust vulnerable adults procedure. EVIDENCE: The home had received one complaint since the last inspection – this had been addressed within the given time. The home had the Local Authority’s Adult Protection procedures and a ‘whistle blowing’ policy. One resident said ‘I’d go to the Manager – she would listen to me’ and others said the Manager came round regularly to ask their opinions on issues concerning the running of the home. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19, 26 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence, including a visit to the service. The home is maintained to a high standard internally, with well-furnished rooms which residents are able to personalise. Work is continually in progress to ensure that the environment is kept up to standard EVIDENCE: The home has a rolling maintenance programme, the handyman keeping a book where identified items needing repair or renovation were logged. A regular visitor to the home said ‘you see a lot as you go round – it never smells and it’s always lovely and well looked after’. Recent redecoration has included the total refurbishment of one of the bathrooms, complete with a new ‘Malibu’ bath purpose-built for residents with physical disabilities, the on-going redecoration of bedrooms as they are vacated, the replacement of many of the original doors and window frames with plastic doors and frames and the renewal of some of the exterior paintwork. The grounds have been planted Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 with flowerbeds, tubs and hanging baskets to give an attractive and peaceful setting for residents to sit out in good weather, or to look out on and on the day of the inspection one of the trustees of the Orders of St. John Trust Care Homes and the County director were visiting to judge the gardens for a competition within the Trust’s homes. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users’ needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission consider all the above are key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27-30 Quality in this outcome area is excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence, including a visit to the service. Sound procedures for the recruitment of staff are in place and the residents are cared for by a knowledgeable and well-trained group of staff. EVIDENCE: The staffing rota showed that there were sufficient staff on duty to care for the residents and both residents and staff said that there were enough staff members available to complete their tasks in the given time. The Orders of St. John Care Trust have their own training manager at headquarters and there is a full training programme. The Manager said that a new quiet room in the old Manager’s flat above the home is to be used for staff to use computers for some training. Training records showed that the 67 of the staff had achieved the National Vocational Qualification at Level 2 or above. All statutory training had been completed with each staff member having a skill matrix. All new staff had a ‘probationary period record’ and files showed that the home had undertaken all necessary recruitment checks. Future training includes training in dementia and all staff members are expected to have completed this course by the end of the year. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31, 33, 35, 38 Quality in this outcome area is excellent. This judgement has been made using available evidence, including a visit to the service. The considerable experience and knowledge of the Manager and her open management style enable the home to run smoothly and regular monitoring by the home and by the head office ensures that residents are protected and included in decisions affecting them. EVIDENCE: The Manager, who has had many years’ experience in the management of care homes, has just achieved her Registered Manager’s Award and the National Vocational Qualification (professional qualifications) at Level 4. The open-door policy allowed residents and staff to talk to her throughout the day. Visitors and staff were very positive in their comments about the staff and said they were very hardworking. A resident said ‘they’re very caring’. Finances are Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 audited regularly from the headquarters in Wellingore. The quality assurance manual demonstrated a positive approach to seeking the views of residents and residents spoken with said they were constantly asked for their views on matters concerning the running of the home. The quality assurance manual demonstrated that the home had a positive approach towards seeking the views of residents, with results being taken from service user questionnaires, which were sent to the quality assurance manager at headquarters for action. The home has the ISO 9000 award and the Investors in People award. Regular audits included training, medication, meals and health and safety. Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from: 4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 X X 4 X X N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 3 10 3 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 4 14 4 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 X 18 3 3 X X X X X X 3 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 4 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 X 4 X 3 X X 4 Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 Commission for Social Care Inspection Lincoln Area Office Unity House, The Point Weaver Road Off Whisby Road Lincoln LN6 3QN National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI Skirbeck Court DS0000002417.V307045.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. The policy of www.bestcarehome.co.uk is to use all legal avenues to pursue such offenders, including recovery of costs. You have been warned!